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OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Hampton
arrived at 4:26 p.m.
CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - S249
NOVEMBER 5, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING
The Chair called the special meeting of the Municipal Services Committee to order at 4:04 p.m.
CouncilmemberJustin Jones, Chair
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton (Arrived at 4:26 p.m.)
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power
Kelly Nguyen, Assistant General Manager of Water and Power Evan Johnson, Customer Program Manager
Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE OPTIMIZED STRATEGIC
PLAN ESTABLISHING AN ACTION PLAN TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS
SET FORTH BY CITY COUNCIL-ADOPTED RESOLUTION 9977
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Kelly Nguyen, Assistant General Manager of Water and Power, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information policy background, accomplishments, collaborative process, public engagement, Optimized Strategic Plan (OSP) highlights, case studies, planning targets, implementation roadmap, performance reporting; with both responding to questions.
Chair Jones acknowledged and thanked Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) and Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) staff for their extensive work in drafting the OSP.
General Manager Reyes echoed Chair Jones comments, recognizing TAP staff for their work in drafting the OSP. In response to correspondence received from the community, General Manager Reyes and Assistant General Manager Nguyen spoke on Pasadena's partial ownership with Magnolia Power Project, incentives and permitting process, the importance of rooftop solar, the need for upcoming Request for Proposals (RFPs), ongoing collaboration across City departments and partner entities, the limited use of renewable natural gas, Net Energy Metering (NEM), and continuous monitoring of hydrogen. Mr. Reyes stated that staff will continue to monitor the OSP and provide an update to Committee early next year.
01 In response to Councilmember Cole's concerns, General Manager Reyes clarified that the City currently has 30 MW and needs an additional 50 MW to reach the 80 MW goal. Councilmember Cole noted that meeting the goal will require exceeding the minimum ranging shown in Table 4 ("Action plan for accelerating local solar and storage 11/05/2025
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development") in attachment A of the agenda report and emphasized the need for clearer understandable year-to year tracking of the OSP goals.
Councilmember Hampton advocated for staff to expand the incentives to allow residential solar systems to increase from 150% to 200% capacity, as well as providing incentives to support unlimited battery storage.
Chair Jones echoed Councilmember hlampton's remarks advocating for financial incentives for residents; and asked staff to provide additional information on the distribution of local solar capacity across municipal rooftops and parking sites.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that nineteen letters were received by the City Clerk's Office, which were distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record for this item.
The following individuals expressed concerns with the OSP timeline and language, spoke in favor of incentives for solar and battery projects, advocated for solar and battery installations, and/or provided other related comments on the matter:
Simon Anuszczyk, Pasadena resident
Genette Foster, Pasadena resident
Cynthia Cannady, representing Pasadena 100
Teresa Wong, San Gabriel resident
Audrey Ma, representing Pasadena 100
Wes Reutimann, Pasadena resident
Sandy Krasner, representing Pasadena 100
Felix Breden, representing Pasadena 100
Cecilia Abramson, representing Pasadena 100
Lauren Cory, representing Pasadena 100
Suzanne York, Pasadena resident
Sam Berndt, Pasadena resident
Jonah Kanner, Pasadena resident
Rex Mayreis, representing Citizens' Climate Lobby
Rachel Kenney, Altadena resident
Joe Feinblatt, Pasadena resident
Alejandro Rivas, Pasadena resident
Councilmember Lyon thanked staff for their extensive work on the OSP; and made the following comments:
He spoke in support of staff continuing to track the annual matching portfolio, noting it is the standard use statewide; Echoed Councilmember Cole's concerns related to the listed minimum ranges not meeting targeted goals;
• Stated that he believes the minimum solar ranges in the OSP should align and meet the overall targeted goal;
Advocated for staff to include proposed capital investments programs;
Spoke in support of staff strengthening the language in the OSP to encourage solar programs to reflect a more proactive and robust approach to implementations and incentives;
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Advocated for a dedicated professional staff or a point of contact to assist with the City's solar programs and goals; and Asked staff to agendize at a future Committee meeting the Magnolia Power Project; and policy on compensation and
incentives for local solar generation.
Councilmember Hampton encouraged staff to engage and collaborate with the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) on solar planning and related initiatives. He advocated for an expedited permit process for solar installation; spoke on the importance of providing meter materials in a timely manner; and thanked staff for their hard work on the item.
Councilmember Cole thanked staff for alt their hard work on the item and acknowledged Councilmember Lyon and Chair Jones for their efforts in advancing the drafting of the OSP. hie echoed Councilmember Lyon's comments regarding the need for dedicated staff for the solar program and noted that Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) will require departmental structural adjustments to support the plan. He also requested further discussion on Net Energy Metering (NEM) and an evaluation of public benefit dollars to ensure maximum community benefit.
Chair Jones asked staff to report back to the Committee with an update of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, solar barriers, NEM, and the Magnolia Power Project.
Councilmember Lyon echoed Councilmember Hampton's comments on the need for incentives and proactive initiatives to support the OSP goals.
Following discussion, the Committee asked staff to amend the staff recommendation and provided direction to staff as follows:
Amend the draft OSP to reflect hourly matching portfolio supporting Resolution 9977;
Return to the Committee with information on Pasadena Water and Power's optimal method to reorganize, which includes the staffing and structure to support the OSP implementation; Increase additional solar requirement from 50 MWto 70 MW with at least 50 MW from Pasadena Water and Power customers; Amend the draft OSP to include incentive timelines, realism and measurable goals in the draft language;
Include realistic expectations for emerging technologies such as hydrogen;
Increase solar capacity limits from 150% to 200%;
Evaluate the City's public benefits dollars to ensure the City is meeting the target of maximum conservation and renewable energy;
Incorporate municipal solar considerations into future Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); and
Evaluate municipal sites in the RFP process to determine where solar panels can be installed and provide an update to the Committee in January 2026
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INFORMATIONAL ONLY
Following further discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve staff's
recommendations, amended and including direction to staff as detailed above, and forward the item to the City Council for consideration and further discussion. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None) RECEIVE ANNUAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 2024
THROUGH JUNE 2025 AND WORK PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR
2025-2026 FOR:
a. DESIGN COMMISSION
b. HAHAMONGNA WATERSHED PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
c. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
d. HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
e. LIBRARY COMMISSION
f. PLANNING COMMISSION
NEW BUSINESS
(CONTINUED)
Following a brief discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
EV CHARGING UPDATE
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Evan Johnson, Customer Program Manager, summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on climate commitment, importance of EVs, electric transportation goals, residential and commercial rebates, charging stations, operational challenges, mitigation measures, current and future projects, historical usage data; with both responding to questions.
Councilmember Hampton advocated for expanding the number of level- 3 (fast-charging) EV chargers to meet growing demand and improve reliability for EV users.
Councilmember Cole thanked staff for their knowledgeable dedicated work, and contributions to the EV charging program. and
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
Councilmember Cole requested that the Planning Commission's work plan items related to Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan to be agendized for discussion at a future Committee meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF CHANGES TO DATE AND TIME OF
REGULAR MSC MEETING
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments on the item and responded to questions.
Chair Jones supported the Committee to continuing meeting on Tuesday with a new proposed start time at 5:00 p.m.
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ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Hampton expressed concerns regarding relocating the Design Commission's meeting, noting he was not comfortable supporting the change until an alternative space is properly identified for the Commission.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to amend the start time of regular Municipal Services Committee meeting from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. contingent on the Design Commission's new meeting location:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Lyon, Chair Jones
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Councilmember Hampton
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee y^ adjourne^qit 6:32 p.m.
Councilw^/fiber^fistkf Jones, Chair
Municu'fg/Servfces^Committee
ATTEST: [/
1^=_
Betty Gao
Recording Secretary
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